Mss.00131 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit February 11, 2015 History Colorado. Stephen H. Hart Research Center 1200 Broadway Denver, Colorado, 80203 303-866-2305 cosearch@state.co.us
Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical note...4 Scope and Contents note... 5 Administrative Information...5 Related Materials... 6 Controlled Access Headings...6 Accession numbers... 7 Collection Inventory... 8 Mary Ann Hodgson Collins... 8 Edward H. Collins... 8 William H. Hodgson...9 Elizabeth Hodgson Featherston... 9 William Collins...10 Middle Park, Colorado... 10 Financial... 10 - Page 2 -
Summary Information Repository History Colorado. Stephen H. Hart Research Center Title Mary Ann Hodgson Collins Family Collection Date 1837-1886 Extent 0.25 Linear feet Language English Collection [Box] 0.25 lf Abstract This collection highlights some of the pioneers of Colorado, The Hodgson and Collins Family, during the nineteenth century. Housed in this collection are items brought from New York to Colorado, newspaper advertisement of a reception for artist Mary Ann Hodgson Collins, and professional manuscripts for Edward Collins. Preferred Citation note Cite as: Mary Ann Hodgson Collins Family Collection, Mss.00131, History Colorado. - Page 3 -
Biographical note Mary Ann Hodgson Collins (1839-1928) was the youngest child born to Margaret Potts Hodgson (1813-1899) and John Hodgson (1804-1864); her siblings were Elizabeth J. (1834-1858), Joseph H. (1835-1911), and William G. Hodgson (1838-?). By 1834, Margaret and John Hodgson had married in England and emigrated to New York. John Hodgson was a dresser of ore, likely in the mining industry. Elizabeth, Mary s oldest sibling, married George Featherston (1828-1904) and together the couple had one son, Erwin. Elizabeth died in New York on June 5, 1858. Mary's brother, Joseph Hodgson (1835-1911) learned the nail cutter trade. At age 17, he traveled to California in 1852. In June 1859, Joseph and his brother William came to Colorado, initially settling in Bear Creek where they farmed and raised stock. In 1861, Joseph s wife, Lucretia (1836-1911), joined him and the couple settled in Denver. The couple had two children, Harry J. Hodgson (1865-1892) and William V. Hodgson (1871-1938). In 1892, Joseph became a Denver water commissioner and held this position until 1900. He died in 1911. William H. Hodgson (1838-?) moved to Colorado with his brother Joseph in 1859 and moved with him to Denver in 1861. William returned to New York in 1864 and married Orrie I. Deuel (1842-1891). The couple returned to Colorado in 1865. Mary Ann Hodgson was born in Essex County, New York in 1839. Mary came to Colorado in 1861 with her brothers Joseph and William Hodgson-Colorado Pioneers of 1859-her mother Margaret and sister-inlaw Lucretia. In 1863, she traveled back to New York but health issues resulted in a permanent move to Colorado a short time later. In 1865 Mary Hodgson married Edward H. Collins (1865-1900) in Arapahoe, Colorado. Mary and Edward Collins had no children. Edward was born in Ithaca, New York and moved to Michigan with his parents. At the age of 18, Edward took a job in a telegraph office. Later, he moved to Cincinnati where he worked for a wholesaler of paint and oil. By age 24 Edward had established his own lumber business in Chicago and by 1858 was involved in the manufacture and sale of furniture. In 1860, Edward relocated to Denver. Initially he worked in the freighting business and later the grocery business. The grocery business was in partnership with Mary s brother William, under the name McKee & Hodgson. Between 1870 and 1878 Edward worked for the U.S. Mint in Denver as assistant melter. In 1878, he opened an art supply shop at 430 Larimer; this shop dealt in frames, molding, and artists supplies. In 1876, Mary took her first art lesson in landscape painting with W. F. Porter, a landscape painter who also taught Helen Chain. A few years later she started teaching painting and drawing. Known for her floral compositions, she also painted landscapes. Inspiration for her work came from Colorado scenes and also her travels in Europe. A member of Denver s art community she was friends with fellow female artists Henrietta Bromwell and Luella (Varney) Serras. Luella (Verney) Serras was a Christian Science student of Edward and Mary Collins. After recovering from tuberculosis, both Mary and Edward became Christian Scientists. In Colorado the Christian Science movement gained momentum when in 1885 a class on the religion was taught in a Denver home. Other classes followed. In 1887, Mary and Edward Collins attended a class taught by Mary Baker Eddy. Documents held by the Mary Baker Eddy library in Boston show that Mary and Edward Collins were students of Baker and corresponded with her in the late 1880s. - Page 4 -
After the death of her husband in 1900, Mary Collins continued to paint and practice her faith as a Christian Scientist. By 1910, at the age of 68, she was living with her brother Joseph Hodgson and sisterin-law Lucretia at 2927 Champa Street. This house still stands in Denver. Mary Collins died on January 18, 1928; she was 89. Mary Ann Hodgson Collins is buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver. Scope and Contents note The Hodgson and Collins family were some of the first pioneers to come to Colorado. With them they brought several items to Colorado from New York. While living in Denver Mary Ann Hodgson (1839-1928) took art classes from W.F. Porter, becoming known for her floral compositions and landscapes. She and her husband, Edward Collins (1829-1900), became Christian Scientists in Denver. After Mary's husband passed away she continued to paint and practice her faith. This collection contains series from several different members from the Hodgsons and Collins family. Items related to Mary are her autograph book that she brought on her journey to Colorado and a newspaper advertisement for an art reception highlighting her work. The Edward Collins series has information pertaining to his professional career. Other items for family members are related to personal life. It is unclear how the manuscripts from Middle Park came to be part of this collection, as well as the paper note from North Carolina. Administrative Information Publication Information History Colorado. Stephen H. Hart Research Center Provenance The items in this collection were donated by Mary Ann Hodgson Collins (Mrs. E. H. Collins) at different times between c. 1900 and 1928. Processing Information note Processed by Haley Suby, February 2015 Processing Information note - Page 5 -
In 2015 it was determined that Mss.02094, Mss. 02191, and Mss.02536 were all related by the same provenance, Mary Ann Hodgson Collins, and that these collection should processed under one manuscript number,mss.00131. Mss.02094, Mss. 02191, and Mss.02536 are no longer manuscript collections. Related Materials Related Archival Materials note The Mary Ann Hodgson Collins Collection is part of a much larger donation of material that includes artifacts. Please contact the Research Center staff for more information. Controlled Access Headings Corporate Name(s) McKee & Hodgson. Genre(s) Autograph books Correspondence. Diaries. Lease. Minutes. Newspaper clippings. Notes Geographic Name(s) Bear Creek Falls (Colo.) Denver (Colo.) - Page 6 -
New York. Mary Ann Hodgson Collins Family Collection Occupation(s) Artist Personal Name(s) Collins, Edward H., 1865-1900 Collins, Mary Ann Hodgson, 1839-1928 Collins, Mary Ann Hodgson, 1839-1928 Collins, William Featherston, Elizabeth Hodgson, 1834-1858 Hodgson, John, 1804-1864 Hodgson, Joseph H., 1835-1911 Hodgson, Margaret, 1813-1899 Hodgson, William G., 1838- Subject(s) Grocery trade--colorado--photographs Pioneers--Colorado. Accession numbers This collection has numerous accession number. See file folder notes for accession numbers. - Page 7 -
Mary Ann Hodgson Collins Collection Inventory Mary Ann Hodgson Collins 1860-1886 FF1 Autograph Book Sept. 1860-May 1861 Scope and Contents note This book was compiled by Mary Ann when she traveled across the plains to Denver. There are not many entries in the book, so the researcher cannot determine the journey's point of origin, final destination, the overland route taken, the composition of the party, or the length of time traveled. One traveler was from Kenosha, Wisconsin and another from Essex County, New York. Other Numbers Accession number H.E1.3.1.8. Formally processed as Mss.02094.The numbers 19947 and Mss.02094 are no longer in use. Immediate Source of Acquisition note This book was given by Mary Ann Hodgson Collins to the Colorado Historical Society in 1909. FF2 Art Reception Ad, Draft and Newsprint 1886 Processing Information note Original manuscript number was Mss.00007. This number is no longer used. Edward H. Collins 1868-1875 - Page 8 -
William H. Hodgson FF3 Correspondence from Gov. John Evans of Washington, D.C. Feb. 27, 1868 Other number Accession number is SHNH.6267. Originally processed as manuscript number Mss.02536. Mss.2536 is no longer in use. Processing Information note Accession record lists an envelope with letter. During processing in 2015, no envelope was found. FF4 Lease of Building, "Mechanical Bakery", Property May 15, 1869 FF5 Papers regarding complaint regarding unsent telegram recommending E.H. Collins for a post in the Denver Mint 1875 William H. Hodgson 1860-1862 FF6 Diary 1860-1862 Other Numbers Accession number is SHNH.272. Originally processed as manuscript number Mss.02191. Mss.02191 is no longer in use. Elizabeth Hodgson Featherston Undated FF7 Book: Bridal Greetings: A Marriage Gift by Rev. Daniel Wise Undated Scope and Contents note - Page 9 -
William Collins Inscription on title page says "Present to Mr. & Mrs. Geo Featherston by Rev. M.F. Cutler" Other Number Accession number H.363.1. Originally processed as RB 392.4 W7546. William Collins 1837 FF8 Correspondence to Ira [Tillatson] 1837 Other Numbers Accession number is SHNH.272. Originally processed as manuscript number Mss.02191. Mss.02191 is no longer in use. Middle Park, Colorado 1861-1874 FF9 Minutes of the Middle Park Claim Club 1861 FF10 Tour Guide 1874 Financial 1860-1862 FF11 Promissory Note Nov. 12, 1860 FF12 North Carolina 25 Cent Paper Note Sept. 1862 Processing Information note - Page 10 -
Financial During processing in 2015, only photo copy was found. Location of original note is unknown. - Page 11 -